Why You May Be Juggling (yes, literally juggling) at your next piano recital

The funny thing about being a parent is that suddenly it becomes acceptable to be a hypocrite. I tell my girls that fruit loops aren’t a good breakfast choice because they’re loaded with sugar… and then I sit down at night to watch Downton Abbey with a chocolate bar. My girls have next to no time in front of any sort of screen, and then I surf the web for 30 minutes (or more) on my iPhone before falling asleep.

Do as I say and not as I do means so much more to me these days 🙂

I find there’s also a funny thing about being a piano teacher… you guessed it… it becomes suddenly acceptable to be a hypocrite. I tell my students to practice every single day… but my own practice gets tossed to the side more often than I’d like to admit.

But in the new year I hope to change this, and I hope you will join me (unless you’re a diligent practicer… in which case… you’re making me feel bad about myself!)

How To Practice What You Preach

Now I know many of you use piano practice incentives in your studios… but do you participate along with your students?

Well… you will now!

Because I’m challenging you to pick up a new skill the next time a practice incentive rolls around in your studio. That’s right! The next time your piano students are in the midst of a 60 day practice challenge, you’re going to be in the midst of your own challenge.

Maybe you’ll be learning to juggle, or to do magic, or to recite the alphabet backwards. Whatever you choose, I promise your kids will be inspired by your efforts and eager to compare their practice habits with your own.

And if you’re really brave, schedule the practice incentive to run into a recital and share your new talent with your studio families 🙂

So… what new skill will you be learning in the new year to inspire your piano students? Share in the comments below.

Some Practice Challenges For You…

If you’re looking for some exciting practice incentives to use in your studio in the new year check out these past Teach Piano Today Posts (all of the printables to make these incentives work are included in each post):

I read somewhere about a teacher who challenges her students to practice more minutes than she does. I’ve been trying this for the last several months, and it is working great! The students practice more, and I definitely practice much more than I did before. I’m excited to try these ideas 🙂 Thank you for sharing!

I try to challenge myself to learn a new piece to perform at most recitals, and find myself consistently not taking my own advice that I freely dole out every week to my students! I don’t practice slowly, one hand at a time, work on just a little section, etc. Putting myself in their shoes gives me a lot more empathy!